Cutting finger for separating machines



Nov. 27, 1928. 1,692,910 H. M. SUTTON ET AL CUTTING FINGER FOR SEPARATING MACHINES Filed Feb. 8, 1923 1 2 Sheets-Sheet l gnvemtovs I 4. 2% $1M L0. ,5 311212), (8%. sewn! gamma? Nov. 27, 1928. 1,692,910 H'- M. SUTTON ET AL CUTTING FINGER FOR SEPARATING MACHINES Filed Feb. 8, 1928 2 s t -s t 2 gwuentoz s nfi. $111411, (5% awe,

Patented Nov. 27, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY M. SUTTON, WALTER L. STEELE, AND EDWIN GJSTEELE, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

dur'rn'te FINGER ron s'nrnnrvrnve MACHINES.

Application filed February 8, 1928. Serial No. 252 852.

This invention relates to improvements in cutting fingers for separating machines and it is intended to direct the separated particles of the mass as they fiow from the separating table, for dividing the separated particles and guiding them in any desired direction to a suitable receptacle in which they are deposited.

We have for many years been using a separating finger that is held between a bar extending longitudinal the apron on which the separated material falls, the finger being held between a bar and the apron by a suitable spring means such as shown in our Patent No. 1,073,644@, dated September 28-, 1918. The fingers shown in this drawing are adjustable to various angles, and movable along the bar. The separating deck is subjected to a rapid vibration and we have found that in using the fingers of the patent they are jarred from their adjusted positions and require attention while the machine is in operation. Especially is this true where coal is being sep arated since the separated elements subject the fingers to a hammering action in addition to the vibration of the deck which dislod'ges them from their adjusted positions.

The improvement here shown is especially designed for use in the dry separation of coal, though it may be used with any type of separator to which it is desired to apply it.

One primary object of the invention is to so construct the means for holding the separating finger that it is clamped to the apron and is rigidly held in its adjusted position against any dislodgment due to vibration or to the hammering action of the particles of separated coal as they escape from the separating table. Especially is this invention adapted to withstand the handling of coal consisting of large sizes that travel rapidly as they flow from the Separating deck and subject the fingers to a continued hammering which this improved device is adapted to withstand without 'havingi'ts position or angle disturbed in an manner.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing part of aseparating deck and its apron, to the latter of which the cutting fingers are shown applied.

Figure '2 is an elevation, part of the apron shown in section, the elevation looking in the direction indicated by arrow 2 in Figure4.

Figure 3 is an elevation of our improved finger arrangement looking in the direction indicated by arrow 3 in Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of our finger.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates part of a separating deck and 2 part of the rifiies applied to the deck. A suitable apron 3 extends from the delivery side of the deck 1 and the apron extends downward at an angle whereby the separated particles of the mass after they leave the deck, flow by gravity over the apron.

It is well understood by those skilled in this art that in separation of coal especially, the slate or other refuse is collected in the space 4 and it flows in that space and out at the lower end 5 onto the apron 3, and from the apron it flows into a suitable chute or other receptacle located under the outer edge6 of the apron. For the purpose of controlling this separated refuse or slate and for the purpose of preventing it from collecting with any of the coal. that flows from the deck along the edge 7 a suitable finger 8 is so located and the finger is held at a suitable angle to cause the slate to be directed as may be desired. So far we have described only what is shown in our patent herein mentioned.

Referring now particularly to the present improvement which improvement comprises a suitable member 9 that is attached to the un der side of the apron 3, this member is united to theapron by suitable bolts 10.

In this improvement there is an upwardly projecting socket or bearing 11 on the said member 9 that passes through the said apron and extends beyond it. An L- shaped lever 12 has its downwardly extending leg 13 passing through the socket or bearing 11. Attached to the Vertical leg 13 of the lever 12 is a collar 14 that is located at the upper end of the bearing and a suitable collar 15 is attached to the lower end of the vertical leg 13. These collars are attached. in any suitable manner, but as here shown, suitable pins 16 pass through the collars and through the lever. These collars serve to hold the lever in its proper position at the same time permitting the lever to be swung horizontally as will be hereinafter described. 7

This iinproved finger 8 has its lower end extended laterally and the under side of it carries a suitable soft material such as felt or rubber 17, that engages the upper surface of the apron 3. The lower endmay be made in any suitable form and maybe constructed in any manner to form a horizontal portion for engagement with the said .apron. The finger 8 extends upwardly and attached to the upper portion of the finger is a suitable block 18, the said block preferably extending laterally from the finger. This block is provided with a vertical opening in which the lower end of a screw threaded rod 19 passes. The upper end of this rod 20 is also screw threaded in the opposite direction to the 1 screw threads on the lower end 19 whereby this red has a right and a left handed screwthreaded portion. The portion 20 screws into an outwardly extending part 21 that is carried by a slidable member 22 through which the horizontal portion of the lever 12 is adapted to pass. This member 22 may be moved inward and outward on the lever 12 and it is held in any desired position on the lever by a screw-threaded clamping member 23 that carries at its end a wheel 24:. Attached to the right and left screw-threaded rod 20 and 19 is a socket 25 carrying an integral handle 26. The said socket is attached between the screw-threaded portion of the members 19 and 20 by a suitable pin or screw 27 From the foregoing it will be understood that by turning the handle 26 and thereby turning the right and left handed screwthreaded red, the finger 8 may either be clamped down in contact with the apron 3 or it may be loosened whereby the finger can be adjusted at any desired angle and then be clamped on the apron in the adjusted position.

. In Figure 1 only one finger is shown attached to the apron 8. However it will be understood that as many cutting fingers may be attached to the apron throughout its length as may be desired to divide the separated elements flowing from the edge 7 of the separating deck and over the apron 3.

From the above description and illustra tion, it will be understood that the slidable socket 22 can be moved back and forth on the lever 12 and the socket held in its adjusted position. It will be seenalso that the finger 8 can be turned at any desired angle to control the cutting point of the mass escaping from the separating deck 4. It will also be understood that the lever can be turned in the bear- Es. eciall in coal se aratin machines it l. J r

will be understood that there are several degrees of separation which 1t may be desired to divide and to guide into separate reeepta-.

cles. The present invention is adapted to be placed in any position and at the same time divide or guide the elements as they pass from the separating deck.

While we have here shown the member 11 for the vertically extending portion located at the lower side of the apron, thismay be positioned in any desired manner. That is to say it may be attached to the upper portion of the apron and the lever 12 extending down wardly. The said bearing 11 may be connected intermediate the edges of the apron and the lever 12 extending in a direction longit-uchnal of the said apron, and that in any position the fingers may be adjusted to the we-desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A cutting finger for separating machines comprising an apron, a support extending above said apron, a cutting finger adapted to have its lower edge held against the said apron, and means located on the said support for forcing the lower edge of the finger against the apron and releasing it from the apron thereby enabling the finger to headjusted as described.

2. A cutting finger for separating machines comprising an apron, a support attached to the apron and extending in a direction across the same, a finger located between the support and the said apron and expanding and contracting means upon the said support and en gaging the finger, whereby the lower edge of the finger may be clamped against the apron and released therefrom, enabling it to be adjusted for the purpose described.

3. A cut-ting finger for separating machines comprising an apron, a support carried by the apron and extending across the said apron and separated therefrom, a finger locatedbetween the support and the apron,a slidable member on the said support, means carried by the slidable member and engaging the said finger for forcing its lower edge against the apron and for releasing the said finger thereby enabling the finger to be adjusted as described.

4. A cutting finger for separating machines comprising an apron, a support swivelled upon the said apron and projecting in a direction across the apron, a finger located between the support and saidapron, means carried by the said support and engaging the finger, said means being capable of being ex panded and contracted for the purpose of clamping and releasing the finger from the apron to permit its adjustment as described.

5. A cutting finger for separating machines comprising an apron, an L-shaped support having its vertical portion swivelled to the apron and its substantially horizontal portion extending in a direction across and substantially parallel the said apron, a slidable member on the said support and means between the said Support and said finger, said means being capable of expansion and contraction for the purpose of forcing the lower edge of the finger against the apron and releasing it therefrom whereby the said finger is capable of adjustment as specified.

6. A cutting finger for separating machinescomprising an apron, a support extending in a direction across the said apron, one end of the said support swivelled to the said apron, a slidable member carried by the said sup port, a right and a left hand screw-threaded member between the said slidable member and the said finger, whereby the said finger may be clamped against the apron or released therefrom, for the purpose of adjustment as described. a

7. A cutting finger for separating machines comprising an apron, a support extending substantially parallel the said apron and in a direction across the same, the lower end of the said support swivelled to the lower side 01" the apron, a slidable member on the said support, a finger located between the slidable member and the apron, and means between the slidable member and the finger for clamping the lower edge of the finger against the apron and releasing the same from the apron whereby it is capable of adjustment as described.

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures.

HENRY M. SUTTON. WALTER L. STEELE. EDWIN G. STEELE. 

